Bong Go urges DOH to uphold accessibility of medical aid for indigent patients
DURING the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, held jointly with the Committees on Tourism and on Finance on Tuesday, March 12, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go addressed issues surrounding the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program of the Department of Health (DOH) which received an increased budget this year.
The MAIP program is a government initiative that provides financial support to cover medical expenses for poor patients. It is one of the primary sources of medical financial assistance made easily accessible to patients through Malasakit Centers.
Go expressed deep concern over reports of patients, especially the impoverished, being turned away or opting not to seek hospital care out of fear of incurring hefty medical bills.
“In line with the (DOH) Secretary Ted (Herbosa)’s memo na wala pong matanggihan ng mga pasyente, lalung lalo na po ‘yung mga mahirap…alam n’yo, minsan, ‘yung ibang mga kababayan natin, umuuwi na lang, takot magpa-hospital, ‘yung iba po ay nalalagutan na lang po ng hininga dahil sa takot po sa babayaran sa hospital,” he remarked.
Go was referring to the DOH Department Memorandum 2023-0235 issued by Herbosa, which mandates that all patients at Malasakit Centers receive the necessary services.
“Ang pakiusap at paalala ko sa inyo, Secretary Ted and USec. (Molly) Chiong na wala pong matatanggihan na mga pasyente. May memo naman po si Secretary Ted na wala pong uuwing luhaan, wala pong uuwing bigo dahil sa kahirapan,” he requested.
“Para po ‘yan sa mga mahirap nating kababayan… (sana) walang malalagutan ng hininga dahil sa kahirapan,” he added.
Go also touched upon the alarming issue of hospitals running out of MAIP funds, citing specific cases to underscore the severity of the situation.
“Marami po ako narinig na mga hospital, for example, sa Basilan… sa Zamboanga… na nagreklamo po sila dahil naubos na po ang kanilang pondo,” he revealed, pointing out the critical funding shortages that jeopardize patient care.
Go emphasized the paradox of hospitals facing fund shortages despite congressional approval of billions in MAIP funding. This discrepancy, he argued, left no reason for patients to be denied the medical assistance they direly need.
“Since ubos na po ang kanilang pondo, sa pagkaalam ko po ang na-aprubahan po ng Kongreso ay billions po ng MAIP. So, wala pong rason na matatanggihan po itong mga pasyenteng at malagutan ng hininga dahil sa kahirapan po,” he asserted.
Go appealed to health officials to address the reported fund shortages in hospitals such as Basilan General Hospital, Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga City Medical Center.
“Pwede niyo bang mapa-check itong mga hospital na nagreklamo na wala na po silang pang tulong sa mga Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients?” he implored.
In response to Go’s inquiries and concerns, DOH Secretary Herbosa confirmed the significant increase in MAIP funds, which for 2024 had more than doubled, exceeding PhP50 billion.
As explained by Herbosa, this substantial increase was part of a strategic reallocation of funds, with a considerable portion being transferred from PhilHealth to bolster the MAIP.
Undersecretary Chiong echoed the commitment to utilizing the MAIP funds efficiently, assuring that the DOH will diligently work to address any issues of funding shortages in hospitals and to extend assistance to all financially incapacitated patients.
“Opo, the MAIP program of the DOH will help all hospitals, all indigent patients, and financially incapacitated patients. ‘Yan naman po ang mandato ng DOH,” she affirmed.
Go, appreciative of the efforts and commitments laid out by the DOH officials, requested regular updates on the utilization of MAIP funds and reports on hospitals claiming to have run out of resources.
In her response, Undersecretary Chiong reiterated the DOH’s steadfast commitment to ensuring that no patient is denied access to the necessary medical assistance through MAIP.
“Yes, your Honor. We have that commitment. As the head of MAIP, the program of DOH, we will abide and make sure that… Lahat po ay makakatanggap ng necessary na tulong galing po sa MAIP program,” she pledged.
During the hearing, Go also discussed proposed local hospital measures, the Health Emergency Allowance for healthcare workers, and staffing issues within Malasakit Centers.
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